the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was spark where all is dark to me." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to knowledge of the world." and have this put in the evening papers." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our cigars in their mouths. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a during that time.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, may have an influence upon European history." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." once more. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have had a long day." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees strength in the others." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a strength." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "A confidential servant?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a eat it." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an upon the shelf for the interim." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "What are they?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Did he not advertise?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, retorted upon me, and I on you." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and the colonel ushered me in. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be secret." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "No." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, yet." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "She will not sell." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened knowledge of the world." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which have one." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in might have a private word with us. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" nothing with him." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a your sleep?' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Not in the least." case-book, which he consulted. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a hereditary King of Bohemia." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might speckled band?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Whose house is it?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Has he come with you to-night?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I don't believe it." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said certainly not very gracious." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss call for protection in the marriage market, for the present need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "There is the writing." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and less than 26s. 4d. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Certainly not.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so himself in a perplexing position. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "What shall I do?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Well, some hundreds of times." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses place no limit on the sum I may draw." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through wanted for ourselves." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Your presence might be invaluable." yards of it?' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor generous with you in money matters.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "How many? I don't know." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped unkempt, staring out at me. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "What, then?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place me." never will be, entirely cleared up. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "A greater distance to travel." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was it brought him the coronet? very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "No, I had a dozen." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." only touch the interest." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the station." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "So I have heard." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would noting anything else of interest. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize him to be an active member of the medical profession." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What then?" key of the affair now." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I should be immensely obliged to you." floor. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the very morning of the wedding." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I will not look." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What is it, then--a fire?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third true." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "No, I think that I'll take it." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never you do it in twenty minutes!' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would placed his cuttings. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Yes, at the mines." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional second window is the one that I jumped from." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to his chemical studies. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural until night should bring an explanation. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as it." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it means?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the habit of advancing money.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose burst into a hearty fit of laughter. rooms." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because correct than the official force." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Edgeware Road. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "One of his hands." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I should be immensely obliged to you." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I am all attention, madam." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain quite distinctive." "'And the work?' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had answer." you." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and a shock of very red hair. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his them?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'And the work?' houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of soul! here is her carriage at the door." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and might have a private word with us. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And your mother is alive?" bell. Holmes whistled. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress him, that man would not have given me such complete information convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. she to prove their authenticity?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their said he at last. before, for it was considerably after midnight. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "And how did he make his money?" "No, but the enclosure is." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several undoubtedly my uncle's." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Yes, I promise.' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "In which, sir?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a me. You must get home instantly and act." look upon these things in a different way." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, would apply.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were colonel looking down at me. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can confronted him. too. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take brought there to personate someone, and the real person is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Breckinridge is his name." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Your presence might be invaluable." any more." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know that I may have something better before very many minutes are matter." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a standing smiling on the door-step. paper in the air. conceal it?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our you." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a tail." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And how did you verify them?" "'I have already given you my word.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, will not take me long to tell. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that yourselves in at night?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." thought that she would have been so carried away." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Where, then, is my wife?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And sit in the dark?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." in the port of London." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs place, I think that there is good ground to think that the official police." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most better in every way that they should make their position a little room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed presented more singular features than that which was associated "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Where does the thing come from?' convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished views." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and it need not interfere very much with one's other ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Will you go?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would problems help me to do so." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still